Maybe so far only dengue hemorrhagic fever or DHF that we know is caused by mosquito bites. But did you know that there are actually many diseases that are transmitted by mosquito bites?
Here are the various types of diseases caused by mosquito bites.
In fifth, there is elephantiasis disease. This disease is caused by three types of filarial worms, namely Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi, and Brugia timori.
Elephantiasis disease is chronic. Mosquitoes that are infected with the adult larvae of these worms will potentially transmit the larvae to the human body they bite.
The initial symptoms may be just fever and inflammation. The next stage is swelling of the lymph nodes to enlargement of the legs.
Feet will look reddish and feel hot. The risk of lifelong disability is the worst consequence if the patient is late for treatment.
In fourth place is yellow fever. This disease is usually carried and transmitted by Aedes or Haemagogus mosquitoes.
People affected by this disease will experience mild symptoms such as fever. headaches, to muscle aches.
This situation is known as the acute phase. But if an infection or toxic phase has occurred, the skin will turn yellow and organ failure, especially the liver.
In a phase that is already very dangerous, sufferers of yellow fever can also experience decreased brain function, convulsions and coma.
Then there’s chikungunya. This disease is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquito. It has characteristics similar to the symptoms of DHF.
Starting from fever, headaches, and red spots that spread on the skin.
But what distinguishes it is pain in the joints of the body, especially in the knees and elbows.
The pain can last for months and the patient is at risk of experiencing paralysis.
While in 2017 there were 126 cases that occurred in 4 districts/cities in Indonesia.
The data shows that this disease is indeed quite familiar with tropical climates such as in Indonesia.
Next is malaria. This dangerous disease is synonymous with a state of the body that is constantly shivering.
The main cause is a type of parasite called plasmodium. The parasite is transmitted through the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito.
Initial symptoms can be in the form of a fever that lasts for two to three days, and flu symptoms for 7 days.
If conditions worsen, malaria can cause anemia, convulsions, and even coma. Many cases of malaria in Indonesia occur in Papua Province, which is considered a malaria endemic area in Indonesia.
At the top as the deadliest disease caused by mosquito bites is dengue hemorrhagic fever or DHF.
This disease is transmitted by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito which usually occurs in the morning.
The initial symptoms of this disease are high fever that lasts all day, headache accompanied by the appearance of red spots and muscle and joint pain.
In a serious stage, this disease can cause bleeding, a sudden drop in blood pressure or shock to death.
In 2016, 1,593 lives were lost due to dengue hemorrhagic fever. WHO also places Indonesia in second place in the world in the list of dengue endemic countries. (awy)
